by K. C. Crowne
“He’s great. I’ve never been with a guy like him before. Then again, not like I’ve got a huge pool of dudes to compare him to.”
“Well, now you’re a hell of a lot tougher and wiser than you were before. You’re ready for a guy like Duncan.”
“But what if he ends up being just as bad as Andrew?”
“Then you’ll know what do this time. You’re ready, either way.”
I smiled, Gia’s words making me feel a hell of a lot better.
“Anyway,” she said. “I’ve got an idea – I bet you’ve spent almost the whole day cooped up in this little apartment, right?”
“Something like that.”
“Then let’s get out and enjoy the night. There’s this awesome little wine bar downtown, perfect place to celebrate your new job. What do you say?”
“Alright, let’s do it. But no getting hammered – not interested in being hungover on my first day.”
“Smart as always,” she said, getting up. “Let me freshen up. Be back in a sec.” She squeezed my leg as she rose from the couch, went into the bathroom, and shut the door.
And I didn’t even have a moment alone before my phone rang, and I saw Duncan’s name on the screen. I did my best to suppress the smile seeing his name caused. After taking a look to make sure Gia was still in the bathroom, I threw on my coat and stepped out onto the tiny balcony that overlooked the street. My place wasn’t anything special, especially compared to Duncan’s palace, but I did love that little balcony and the view it provided.
“Hello?”
“Evening,” he said. “How are you?”
More happiness bubbled up inside of me. “I’m awesome, actually.”
“As much as I’d like to think it’s my call making you feel that way, I’m guessing it really has something to do with your interview.” He was being sardonic, but he wasn’t exactly right – I was thrilled that he’d called.
“It kinda-sorta does,” I said, still grinning ear-to-ear. “I got the job!”
“Are you serious?” he asked excitedly. “Congratulations!”
“Thank you, thank you,” I said. “I do my onboarding tomorrow, and right now I’m celebrating with my friend, Gia.”
“In that case, I won’t keep you. But I hope you’ll still have time for our evening tomorrow. It’s not just a date now, after all – it’s a celebration.”
“Definitely,” I said. Out of the corner of my eye through the glass door, I spotted Gia stepping out of the bathroom. “Anyway, we’re about to head out.”
“Of course,” he said, clearly not bothered. “I’ll see you tomorrow?”
“Can’t wait.”
“And congratulations.”
We said our goodbyes and hung up.
After so much struggle and bullshit, things finally seemed to be looking up. I had my own place, a great new job, and a guy who seemed like he was really something special.
I couldn’t wait for what was next.
Duncan
I was beyond thrilled about the evening ahead, but as I dressed myself and prepared for my date, I kept thinking about the future.
She’d have to find out eventually, right? No way I could keep something like that hidden. I had to play it smart, however. She’d meet Andrew soon, and I had to figure out exactly how it would go down. The longer I put it off, the more likely the situation would be out of my hands.
What if Andrew and Annie were to find out what was going on without me telling them? It’d be a disaster, simple as that. They’d both decide I was a liar, that I’d held something back from them they had a right to know. And hell, they’d be right.
So, I had to plan their meeting while it was still in my power to determine the specifics.
Three ties were laid out on the California King bed. I considered the three of them, trying to take my mind for a brief moment off my other decision. I went with the Hermes tie, red and blue stripes. Once that was in hand, I stepped in front of the mirror and began to tie it.
I could tell Andrew first. As soon as that option presented itself, however, I knew it wasn’t the correct course of action. Andrew was possessive and controlling, wanting things just so. He might’ve been the one to pull the trigger on their relationship, but that didn’t mean he’d be happy to find out I was dating his ex.
In his mind, when he’d ended things, he finished the relationship exactly like he’d wanted. It was done, filed away, never to be thought of again. But the more he talked about Annie, the more it seemed he was having second thoughts about what he’d done.
I was hopeful that I’d put him off of it the other night, but it was still niggling at the back of my brain.
If I were to tell him I was dating her, that I’d known I’d wanted to date her for quite some time, that might represent an element of chaos that he wouldn’t be prepared for.
It wouldn’t work. He’d freak out, maybe even cut me out of his life.
I finished the knot of my tie, pulling it straight over my dress shirt. Then I shook my head and sighed. But I would have to tell him. Andrew would have to be eased into it. And more importantly, Annie would have to be on my side when it happened.
I’d have to tell her first, I decided. I’d have to tell her about Andrew and me, and I’d have to tell her the truth – I’d known about her, I’d been crazy about her, and I’d engineered things to make it so we’d eventually meet.
She might be put off by it all and reject me. But not if I made sure we were in love when I made the revelation.
And like Andrew, I’d have to ease her into the truth.
Starting that night.
When I was dressed and ready to go, I picked up my phone on the nightstand and fired off a text to Annie letting her know I was on my way. Her response was OK! with a smiling emoji. I tucked my phone into my pocket, grabbed my keys, and slipped on my pea coat before heading out.
The evening was cold, the air still and crisp. My breath puffed in front of me as I pulled my leather gloves tight around my wrists. I’d parked in front on the way back, so my car was waiting for me. Soon I was on my way, eager to see Annie. My enthusiasm was unexpected. I’d known I’d been looking forward to seeing her, but I hadn’t been ready for just how thrilled I was at the idea of it.
It made something clear as day in my mind, something I couldn’t screw up when it came to the situation at hand.
And that night I’d have to make some headway in her knowing about my situation. I couldn’t throw her into the deep end of the pool, of course – that’d be far too much for her to take all at once. But I had to say something. Even if I started small.
I arrived at her apartment, climbed out of my car as I sent her a text to let her know I’d arrived. I looked her building up and down, noting how shabby and run-down it was. I wasn’t a snob about those kinds of things, of course. I’d come from very humble circumstances, and the first several years of my adult life while I’d gone to school had been spent in similar buildings.
It was more that Annie was sharp, brilliant. There was no reason a woman like her shouldn’t be able to use the talents she had to make her mark on the world and earn a fortune in the process.
Maybe I’d be able to help her along. I had no doubt her relationship with Andrew had left her feeling uncertain about herself. Possibly I could help put her on the right course.
The door opened, and as always, I was taken aback by how beautiful she was. A fur-lined coat was pulled tight around her curvy figure, and her green eyes shown as brilliantly as always in the low evening light.
“Hey,” she said, coming up to me.
“Hey.” I could tell she wasn’t sure how to greet one another. No doubt she was going back and forth in her mind, wondering if it was appropriate to say hello with a kiss or if that’d be too familiar. And seeing as how there was nothing I wanted more than to kiss her, I was happy to make the decision.
I leaned in and kissed her softly on the lips, savoring how they felt, how they tasted against m
ine. Damn, did I want to take her right back into the apartment, like I always did.
“Come on,” I said, instead putting my hand on the small of her back and leading her to the car, opening the door for her. “We’re celebrating tonight.”
“That we are,” she said with a blushing smile.
Once the doors were shut, I started the car. But I didn’t drive. “Now,” I said. “I usually like to take care of the dinner plans. But tonight’s an exception.”
“Is that right?” she asked, curious.
“That’s right. Tonight’s your call. You want steak, I know a great place in Denver. You want foie gras, I’m friends with one of the best chefs in the state. You want—”
“Tacos.”
“Excuse me?”
There was total confidence in her voice. “I get to pick, and I pick tacos. The greasier and cheaper, the better.
I laughed at how serious she was being about the subject. “Alright, tacos it is. Maybe a margarita or two?”
“Sounds like heaven.”
“Good. I know just the place.”
El Aquila was one of my favorite taco joints in Colorado, only a short drive out of town. We arrived at the neon-festooned place, the logo on the sign an eagle wearing a sombrero, a taco in his claws, and a smile on his beak.
“Oh my God,” she said, stopping and taking in the sight. “This is perfect.”
“You want cheap tacos,” I said with a grin. “Then you’re getting cheap tacos. And they’re good cheap tacos.”
“Even better.” She grabbed my hand and we hurried into the restaurant, me holding the door open for her.
The space was wide open, only a few tables taken. I led her to a booth, the smell of cooking pork thick in the air, upbeat music on the juke box.
“Oh, wow,” she said once the menus were given to us. “All-you-can-eat tacos?” She closed the menu and set it down confidently. “I know what I’m getting.”
“Same here,” I said with a grin. “Whoever eats the most doesn’t pay.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she looked me up and down, as if scanning me to see how many I could put away.
“Joking,” I said. “No way you could eat more than me.”
“I don’t know,” she mused thoughtfully. “You haven’t seen me at work.”
The waiter arrived and we ordered, starting off with a couple of oversized margaritas and a trio of al pastor tacos.
“Anyway,” I said, the waiter quickly returning with the drinks and placing them on the table. “There’s no way I’d let you pay even if you did eat more tacos than me – which you wouldn’t, by the way. We’re celebrating, remember?”
She grinned as if still riding high about the news. “Why, thank you,” she said. “And yes, you’re looking at the newest writer for Classical Monthly.”
I raised my glass and we tapped rims. “So excited for you. I know you’ll be a smash.”
“It’s not where I’d imagined myself, but I’m happy to do it. No one said life was supposed to take you exactly where you’d expected it to, right?”
Well, unless you’re exceedingly good at planning, I thought. Like me.
“So,” I said. “Tell me all about it.”
Annie went right into it, explaining the magazine and all the duties she had to look forward to. And I was happy to sit there and listen, watching her face light up as she spoke. It was clear her passion was teaching, in sharing her gifts and talents with children, be they students or children in need at local hospitals. But she had a killer way with words, and I knew she’d be great at the job.
“This is all assuming onboarding tomorrow goes off without a hitch,” she said.
“There’s no reason to think it won’t,” I was quick to add. “This time next week you’ll be impressing the hell out of your boss with the first of many killer articles.”
She smiled. “Well, thanks for the vote of confidence. And I hope you’re right.”
“I am,” I said, meaning the words.
She cleared her throat before taking a sip of her giant margarita. “So,” she said. “I’ve been talking your ear off about what’s going on with me. What about you? Anything interesting happen this week?”
Andrew. I’d met with him. I realized it was a great chance to bring him up, to start planting the seeds. “Yes. I finally managed to meet up with my brother for drinks.”
“Oh, nice!” she said, her eyes lighting up again. “And how did that go?”
“It was good. He’s been busy with his new job, and eager to tell me all about it.”
“New jobs seem to be a theme,” she said. “What’s his line of work?”
“Attorney,” I said. “Just started at his new firm not too long ago.”
Her expression darkened.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
She shook her head. “It’s stupid. My ex was a lawyer, that’s all. It was a big part of why he and I split up.”
“Right,” I said, nodding. I decided it was a good opportunity to bring her in on a little more. A big detail, one to really make her feel like I was letting her in. “There’s something about my brother and me that you should know.”
She was curious, tilting her head as she looked at me. “What’s that?”
“We have a very different history than most siblings.”
Her brows furrowed. “How so?”
“It’s kind of a long story. First thing you should know is that I’m adopted.”
She raised her eyebrows. “Okay.”
I nodded. “My mom – my biological mom hadn’t been expecting a kid. This might be a blunt way to put it, but I was the product of a random hook-up.”
She said nothing, letting me go on, her expression still curious.
“My dad, whoever he is, didn’t stick around long enough to even know he was going to be a father. At the time, my mom was working a minimum-wage job, hadn’t been planning on being a mother anytime soon. So when she found out she was pregnant and that my dad wasn’t going to be in the picture, she decided the best thing to do was give me up.”
“And how old were you?”
“Just a baby – I don’t remember any of this, of course. And since I was so young, it ended up being easy to find me a new home with wonderful parents.”
“That’s so good to hear. And did they tell you this?”
I nodded. “They were open about it as soon as I was old enough to understand. But it didn’t matter. As far as I was concerned, they were my family.”
She nodded, obviously on board with what I was saying. “That’s right,” she said. “There’s so much more to family than just blood.”
I let her words hang in the air for a moment, happy to have heard them. “They were supportive and loving, more than anyone could ask for. And when I graduated high school, I decided to strike out on my own, going to college on my own dime and doing whatever it took to succeed.”
“And it looks like you accomplished that.”
“I like to think so. But everything changed when my brother came back into my life.”
“Tell me about him.” She was obviously interested in me, my life. In a world of self-absorbed people, it was refreshing.
“My biological mom ended up settling down with a reasonably stable man a few years after she gave me up. She got married, did all the right things. And when she was ready, she had another baby. This one she kept. And years later, both of us well into our adult lives, he decided to track me down.”
“And how has it been?”
“Strange,” I admitted. “Strange, but good. My parents are still a part of my life, of course, but it’s wonderful to have new family.”
“And your biological mother?” Her eyes flashed after she spoke the words, as if she’d realized she’d asked something that might not have been any of her business.”
“Still out there. I’m sure I could ask my brother about her, look into us seeing one another. But I figured I’d get used to having my brother in my life
before adding anyone new.”
“I understand that.”
“Anyway,” I went on. “I mentioned that I was dating someone, and he was interested in meeting you.”
Her eyebrows arched, but she said nothing. The waiter arrived and placed two plates of delicious-looking tacos in front of us.
“He wants to meet me?”
“That’s right. Being that we didn’t grow up together, we’ve never shared dating stories or met one another’s significant others. Evidently, he wants to change all that.”
Her eyes still locked on me, she took a quick chomp of one the tacos on her plate. She chewed slowly, as if buying herself time to figure out what she wanted to say. “Well, what do you think about that?” she asked after swallowing.
“Well, I don’t want to get too ahead of ourselves, but I’ve got a good feeling about what’s happening between us.”
She smiled. “I agree.”
“Good. I think I’d like you to meet him in time.”
“And I’ll want you to meet my family, too.”
“We’ll know when the time is right,” I assured her. “No sense in rushing. If we’ve got something going on as good as we’re hoping, we’ll know when.”
She smiled. “Definitely. And thanks for telling me about your past.”
“Of course. It’s not something I share with just anyone.” I placed my hand on hers, leaving it there for a time.
“Now,” she said with a grin. “You’d better get on those tacos. I’m already one up on you.”
“Game on.”
The rest of the dinner was much more lighthearted and casual, the two of us eating our tacos and polishing off a couple of margaritas apiece. After a little flan, we were both ready to head out. I could tell what she wanted next the moment the doors to the Land Rover clicked shut. Annie looked at me with sexy, catlike eyes, a small smile playing on her lips.
The drive to her place only took a short time. I got out and walked her to her front door.
“So,” she said, that crafty smile still on her lips. “Care to come up?”
“As much as I’d like to, I can’t. I have another early conference call tomorrow, and after those margaritas, I’m thinking I ought to get a good night’s sleep.”